Vote for the Greatest RAF fighter Jet/ see the new RAF Benevolent Fund microsite
 

Here at the RAF Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) we have produced a special new microsite to celebrate our 90th anniversary. The site is called "90 Faces of the RAFBF" and can be viewed at:

www.rafbf90.org.uk

To celebrate our 90 years of work since being established by Lord Trenchard in 1919, our new site features 90 stories about our beneficiaries, history, fundraisers and supporters. If you visit you can listen to Winston Churchill's famous 1951 radio broadcast on behalf of the RAFBF, watch videos of beneficiaries and serving personnel describe how we help, learn about the enormous support we enjoy among the RAF family and vote in our poll:

Vote for the greatest RAF Jet

We are running a poll to decide what was the greatest post-WW2 fighter jet - at the moment the English Electric Lightning is pulling way ahead, so cast your vote and let us know what you think!

Surprises me that the Harrier is so close to the Lightning....as a Fighter, when the Hunter lags behind.....:confused:

The Hunter's now in second place. You must have got a few voters voting, Chiglet.

The Lightning was a beast of an aircraft to work on. Brute power and nothing lovely about it. Now the Hunter was/is a mose graceful looking aircraft. We still see them both over the skys in Cape Town.

Vote List
 

Who made up that list, yet again the Buccaneer has been overlooked, thats where my vote would have gone.

....er - on my screen it says 'Fighter Jet'. not 'Bomber'

Well said BOAC - - put those damned bomber folks back in their box mate!! ;)

And they missed some out. Swift, Sabre, Javelin, Spitfire, Hornet, Brigand

Er...?:confused:

Are there some little known variants of these aircraft that nobody talks about...?

In it's day, despite it's limitations the Hunter looked the part as a fighter aircraft. I always thought the Lightning role was more interceptor than fighter.
Assuming there's a difference.
Anyway the Hunter gets my vote.

And the F3 is more capable than any of the above.... gets my (not entirely unbiased!) vote!

S41

Muppet,

Clearly the answer is yes. The period was POST-WW2, it didn't say built after WW2.

The Spitfire was active in Palestine and indeed got shot down.

The Hornet was in Malaya in the 50s but the glue tended to melt.

The Swift was built as a fighter.

The Brigand was a radar trainer so may not really be classed as a fighter.

I am reminded about the Tempest.

Of course the Javelin was our main night fighter up to 1968.

and the F86 to 1956.

Wader2

I believe the point that Muppet is making with his italicised words is that the Spitfire, Hornet and Brigand ain't jets!!!

Wader :rolleyes:

Wholigan, thanks:D

Wader has a point though, yes the Harrier and the Hawk have been used as 'Fighters' by the RAF, However, they were not procured for that role. As for the jet-powered aircraft that Wader listed, the Sabre, Swift and Javelin were bought and used as pure fighters (and you could add the Venom NF's) to that list. I think you will find that the aircraft listed are those that are in the museum at Hendon (with the exception of the Hawk).

I take it the aircraft doesn't have to have done anything Operationally useful in it's service life? :ok:

Hunter now in front :ok:

LateArmLive

"I take it the aircraft doesn't have to have done anything Operationally useful in it's service life?"

labrador pup

"Hunter now in front"

I have flown both, so may I kindly ask you how many hours you both have on these types?

If the answer is zero, then please go away!

LM

Does, not having flown these types, disqualify one from voting or passing comment?
Just seeking clarification